After winning all four divisions at the Northern Athletic League Finals last week, Yreka is looking for another strong performance at the Northern Section

(NSCIF) Championships at West Valley High in Cottonwood this afternoon.

The Yreka boy's team is ranked second overall in the Northern Section and has three members of the boys team in the top 10 for individual boy runners.

The Miners boys squad is the defending Northern Section and Division 4 state champions.

Below, head coach Pam Borg talks about her team and Thursday's meet.

What are your expectations for the team heading into the Northern Section Championships?

Assistant coach Brady Svilich and I have high expectations for the varsity boys team, even though we are currently ranked second behind Shasta High this season. We graduated a lot of talent last year, but this year's team is very capable of repeating as overall Northern Section Champions. We also expect to repeat as Division 4 (champs), only to be truly challenged by Corning.

With the boys team, is there added pressure being the defending section and State Division 4 champions?

As far as added pressure to repeat as Division 4 champions, we don't really see it as pressure but as an opportunity to achieve a team goal that we put in motion a year ago. It's a common goal that each and every one of us coaches and athletes have planned, trained, and sacrificed our personal life to achieve. There is a lot of personal and team gratification to know that all of your hard work can pay off in big ways if you stay focused and be accountable for your part of the work.

With the girls squad, what are your expectations for them on Thursday?

With the girls squad, our expectation are to have each of them run personal best marks while securing one of the top two State meet qualifying places in Division 4. The girls are getting stronger and we are hopeful that they will put their best efforts out there. Corina Lange, Zoe Restine, and Cassie Day have been our solid top three all year, with freshman star, Ari Brooks and junior Abbi Hansen completing our top five scorers. Chantell Fraser who would normally be our number one or two runner, has been battling a respiratory infection for the last five weeks but may have turned the corner and could break into our top five scorers. We have moved up all the girls to varsity as we feel that our freshmen, Trinda Williams, Daniela Rendon, Mallory Ward have a chance to help the team in scoring a 2nd place finish. And team captain Rachel Wiley has been getting stronger every week and we are looking for her to have a great race as well.

Page 2 of 2 - Tell me a bit about the course your team will be running on Thursday. What are some key things a runner must do to be successful on this course.

West Valley's course is three miles of grass, trails, and pavement with two hills placed in between the mile and two mile marks. We will have to get out hard and push the first mile, while keeping an eye on the Shasta runners. The second mile will be used to push our competition, and the last mile we will have to stay focused, keeping relaxed and the pacing quick to the finish line. For us, the middle of the race will determine which team is going to take the win.

What did it mean to you and the team to win all four divisions at the NAL Finals last week?

To win all four divisions at the league championships meant a lot to me, Brady, the athletes, and to the parents. It has never been done in YHS Cross Country history and it may be a first in our league. So, we are VERY proud of the hard work these kids have done to make themselves part of cross country history. This is something all of us will remember in years to come.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The Yreka Cross Country team would like to thank all the community businesses and individuals who have supported us so graciously with financial assistance and cheer.